Abstract: Disclosed herein are unique adjuvant compositions comprising an attenuated derivative of a self-destructing bacterial pathogen that undergoes lysis in vivo. In exemplary embodiments, the bacterial pathogen is a Salmonella spp. Also disclosed are methods for enhancing an immune response using the adjuvants disclosed herein.

Abstract: Helicobacter pylori is a leading cause of gastric mucosal inflammation, peptic ulcers, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Emerging antimicrobial-resistant H. pylori has hampered the successful eradication of frequent chronic infections. Additionally, due to the absence of effective vaccines against H. pylori, a safe vaccine is highly demanded. Disclosed herein are innovative Protective Immunity Enhanced Salmonella Vaccine (PIESV) vector strains to deliver and express multiple H. pylori antigen genes. Immunization of mice with a vaccine delivering the HpaA, NapA (also termed Hp-NAP), UreA and UreB antigens, provided sterile protection against H. pylori SS1 infection in 7 out of 10 tested mice. Compared to the control groups that had received PBS or a PIESV with an empty vector, immunized mice exhibited specific and significant cellular recall responses and antigen-specific IgG2c, IgG1, total IgG and gastric IgA antibody titers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a live self-destructing attenuated adjuvant Salmonella strain, or a derivative thereof, capable of safe in ovo inoculation into embryonated avian eggs without reduction in hatchability. In certain examples, the live self-destructing attenuated adjuvant Salmonella strain comprises an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) bacterium, comprising one or more mutations resulting in in vivo self-destruction selected from the group consisting of ?alr, ?dadB, ?asdA, ?PasdA::TT araC ParaBADasd, ?PdadB::TT araC ParaBADdadB, ?PasdA::TT rhaRSPrhaBADasd, ?PdadB::TT rhaRSPrhaBADdadB and/or ?PmurA::TT rhaRSPrhaBADmurA. Also disclosed are method of using the attenuated adjuvant Salmonella strains to inoculate Avian species.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are unique adjuvant compositions comprising an attenuated derivative of a self-destructing bacterial pathogen that undergoes lysis in vivo. In exemplary embodiments, the bacterial pathogen is a Salmonella spp. Also disclosed are methods for enhancing an immune response using the adjuvants disclosed herein.

Abstract: Helicobacter pylori is a leading cause of gastric mucosal inflammation, peptic ulcers, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Emerging antimicrobial-resistant H. pylori has hampered the successful eradication of frequent chronic infections. Additionally, due to the absence of effective vaccines against H. pylori, a safe vaccine is highly demanded. Disclosed herein are innovative Protective Immunity Enhanced Salmonella Vaccine (PIESV) vector strains to deliver and express multiple H. pylori antigen genes Immunization of mice with a vaccine delivering the HpaA, NapA (also termed Hp-NAP), UreA and UreB antigens, provided sterile protection against H. pylori SS1 infection in 7 out of 10 tested mice. Compared to the control groups that had received PBS or a PIESV with an empty vector, immunized mice exhibited specific and significant cellular recall responses and antigen-specific IgG2c, IgG1, total IgG and gastric IgA antibody titers.

Abstract: Recombinant attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis mutants have been created that show efficacy as oral vaccines against plague caused by Y. pestis and Yersinosis caused by both Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis. Thus, live attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis-based vaccines can be used to prevent Yersinosis in farm animals such as swine, cattle and sheep. The palatable baits containing live attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis-based vaccines may be acceptable methods to control plague epidemics in wild animals. The methods disclosed can also be used to generate recombinant attenuated Y. entercolitica and Y. pestis vaccine strains.

Abstract: We constructed S. Gallinarum strains deleted for the global regulatory gene fur (FIG. 1) and evaluated their virulence and protective efficacy in Rhode Island Red chicks and Brown Leghorn layers. The fur deletion mutant was a virulent and, when delivered orally to chicks, elicited excellent protection against lethal S. Gallinarum challenge. We also examined the effect of a pmi mutant and a combination of fur deletions with mutations in the pmi and rfaH genes, which affect O-antigen synthesis, and ansB, whose product inhibits host T cell responses. The ?Afur ?pmi and ?fur ?ansB double mutants were attenuated, but not protective when delivered orally to chicks. However, a ?pmi ?fur strain was substantially immunogenic when administrated intramuscularly. Altogether our results show that the fur gene is essential for virulence of S. Gallinarum and the fur mutant is effective as a live recombinant vaccine against fowl typhoid.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a photosynthetic microorganism that produces biofuels and biofuel precursors.

Abstract: Recombinant attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis mutants have been created that show efficacy as oral vaccines against plague caused by Y. pestis and Yersinosis caused by both Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis. Thus, live attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis-based vaccines can be used to prevent Yersinosis in farm animals such as swine, cattle and sheep. The palatable baits containing live attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis-based vaccines may be acceptable methods to control plague epidemics in wild animals. The methods disclosed can also be used to generate recombinant attenuated Y. entercolitica and Y. pestis vaccine strains.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a photosynthetic microorganism that produces biofuels and biofuel precursors.

Abstract: A live attenuated derivative of a pathogenic bacterium intended for use as a vaccine

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to regulated host-vector systems for delivery of genetic vaccine vector or desired gene products to a eukaryotic host, preparations of bacterial genetic vaccines, genetically engineered microorganisms that are useful for delivery of genetic vaccine vectors or desired gene products, and methods of use for the host-vector system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Environmentally Limited Viability System (ELVS) for microorganisms based on differences between permissive and non-permissive environments. Viability of the microorganisms are limited to a permissive environment by specifically expressing one or more essential genes only in the permissive environment, and/or expressing one or more lethal genes only in the non-permissive environment. Temporary viability in a non-permissive environment can be achieved by temporarily expressing one or more essential genes in a non-permissive environment, and/or temporarily delaying expression of one or more lethal genes in the non-permissive environment. Environmentally Limited Viability Systems are also disclosed involving coordinate expression of a combination of essential genes and lethal genes. Microorganisms containing an Environmentally Limited Viability System are useful for release into permissive and non-permissive environments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising a live attenuated derivative of a pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. The attenuated derivative of a pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae bacteria comprises a polynucleotide that encodes a foreign antigen. The attenuated derivative of the pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae bacteria has increased expression of Type 1 fimbriae relative to the pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae bacteria from which the attenuated derivative was derived. The present invention also relates to immunogenic compositions that elicit an enhanced Th2 immune response in an individual. The present invention further provides a method of modulating the immune response of an individual comprising administering to said individual the immunogenic compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are vaccines and immunogenic compositions which use live attenuated pathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella, to deliver ectopic antigens to the mucosal immune system of vertebrates. The attenuated pathogenic bacteria are engineered to secrete the antigen into the periplasmic space of the bacteria or into the environment surrounding the bacteria. The vertebrate mounts a Th2-mediated immune response toward the secreted antigen.

Abstract: Attenuated immunogenic bacteria having an RpoS+ phenotype, in particular, Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi having an RpoS+ phenotype and methods therefor are disclosed. The Salmonella have in addition to an RpoS+ phenotype, an inactivating mutation in one or more genes which render the microbe attenuated, and a recombinant gene capable of expressing a desired protein. The Salmonella are attenuated and have high immunogenicity so that they can be used in vaccines and as delivery vehicles for genes and gene products. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the vaccine delivery vehicles.